from Leo Odera Omolo
Oct 15, 2009 9:21 AM
EAC Headquarters, Arusha, 15 October 2009: The Secretariat of the East African Community has released the provisional programme of the activities planned for the 10th EAC Anniversary which will be observed in November this year, marking 10 years since the Signing of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community in November 1999.
The details of the activities are contained in a Programme and Action Plan and aim at yielding maximum publicity and promotion of the East African Community. The objectives of the Observance are to record the achievements of the EAC during the 1st decade of its operations; showcase the achievements that the EAC has made in the past 10 years; recognize the roles and contributions of the key players and actors and the broad spectrum of stakeholders in the EAC integration process; and, in this way, encourage them and others to embrace robust integration effort in the subsequent stage where the EAC is moving.
The Observance will provide opportunity for the EAC to identify the challenges that the EAC faced during the 1st decade of its operations (1999-2009); focus the EAC operations into the 2nd decade (2010-2020), how is the EAC to reinvent itself in light of the new challenges; and resolve into a truly effective and visibly achieving regional organization.
The Observance is also intended to stage a celebratory moment, considering that, while the first EAC, which was established in 1967, collapsed on its 10th Anniversary in 1977, the new EAC that was established in 1999 is resurgent, enlarged and full of promise and prospects as it marks its 10th Anniversary. The Secretary General of the East African Community, Ambassador Juma Mwapachu has said the EAC 10th Anniversary celebrations intend to reinforce the spirit of unity, pride, good feeling and hope among the people of East Africa about their Community; and galvanize a passionate, visionary and broad participation in the EAC integration process.
The climax of the Anniversary Observance will be the EAC Summit on 20th November 2009 when the Protocol on the Establishment of the EAC Common Market will be signed by the EAC Heads of State. The Signing of the EAC Common Market Protocol is significant at a time also that the process towards the attainment of Monetary Union has gathered momentum. The Secretary General said the Signing of the East African Community Common Market Protocol will be one of the most definitive milestones in the concretization and actualization of the Community and, as such, deserves a great celebration, and stimulation of broad support for regional integration and development. The laying of the foundation stone for the new EAC Headquarters construction will also be performed on the occasion, among other commemorative events.
The theme of the EAC 10th Anniversary Observance is EAC: Ten Years of Integration: One People, One Destiny. The EAC 10th Anniversary Observance will reflect the basic principle of a people-centered and private sector-led regional integration. The observance will involve wide participation among the East African people across the entire East African region. East Africans in the Diaspora will also be involved in the Observance, particularly through the Activities that will be held in the EAC Diplomatic Missions abroad. The EAC region’s civil society, professional associations, business community, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community based organizations (CBOs), will take the lead in the EAC 10th Anniversary Observance.
The key players and actors in the EAC Anniversary Observance will mobilize voluntary contributions and corporate sponsorship of elaborate cultural and sporting activities such as the East African Cultural Festival, Billboards and other displays that are among the Activities that are proposed for the Anniversary celebrations. The Secretary General said it was important not only to make the private sector and civil society aware of the activities of the East African Community but also to get them interested and involved in these activities which are being undertaken for their benefit and that of the region as a whole. In particular, the East African Business Council should be fully involved in the planned activities. To this extent, the East African Business Council, the private sector at large and indeed the non-governmental and civil society organizations are expected to be a major source of resources, both financial and other support, towards the success of the celebrations.
The role of the Ministries of EAC Affairs is considered critical in involving the Media, Civil Society and the Business Community in various Activities of celebrating, creating wide awareness and popularizing the EAC among the East African people. On the whole, there should be deep involvement and sensitization of the people throughout the East African region on the projects and programmes of the Community towards a new awakening to the regional integration Agenda.
The Secretary General expressed confidence of the successful outcome of the EAC Observance, with working closely in collaboration of all the key players and actors, and a determination to stage the most memorable and inspirational Observance of the EAC 10th Anniversary. He said the observance should bear maximum impact across the East African region and reinvigorate the spirit of East African unity and development. The state of play with regard to the activities planned for the EAC 10th Anniversary Observance is as follows:-
EAC Anniversary Website, eac10anniversary.eac.int has been established which will be constantly updated to provide dynamic, interactive communications with the public about the EAC during this period. The key players and actors as well as members of the public are encouraged to access the Website for regular updates and source of reference for publicity and promotion of the Anniversary observance.
An EAC Infopak is being prepared by the Secretariat. The Infopak will include information and data sheets about the projects and programmes of the EAC Organs and Institutions. The Infopak will also contain general information about the EAC 10th Anniversary. EAC Organs and Institutions will contribute data sheets for compiling into the Infopak.
Special EAC 10th Anniversary Publications will be produced, specifically: The EAC Anniversary Brochure, (by the Secretariat); EAC 10th Anniversary Symposium Book (Report of the deliberations of the EAC 10th Anniversary Symposium, (self-financing that will be published by leading international publisher, First Magazine of London, UK); and Ten Years of EAC Integration (EAC Official Publication being prepared by the Secretariat with inputs from EAC Organs and Institutions).
EAC 10th Anniversary Logo, Posters, Billboards and memorabilia: The EAC Anniversary Logo has been designed and distributed to the key players and actors for use in the Anniversary publicity. The logo will be used in relevant EAC publicity and preparation of various promotional items, such as the Anniversary Website and various memorabilia. The Secretariat has engaged reputed media firm, Mediapix to produce posters that will be widely displayed in the region. The Secretariat is also working on Billboards that will be similarly displayed throughout the region through corporate sponsorships.
Secretariat is producing various memorabilia/promotional items, including T-shirts, caps, neck ties and scarves, car stickers, wheel covers, EAC paper flags and table flags, lapel pins, pens, key holders, gift bags and document wallets which will be made available to the key players and actors for use in their promotional activities.
EAC 10th Anniversary Symposium will be held in Arusha on 13-14 November 2009. The Symposium will involve the participation of estimated 100 participants drawn from Government, Civil Society, Academia, Business Community and Media of the East African region. High level presenters and discussants will lead discussions on the topics: Pan Africanism and the Challenges of EAC Integration; Science and Technology as Strategic Driver of EAC Development ; Climate Change and Its Implications to Development in the EAC Region; and Role of Non-State Actors in Deepening EAC Integration, under the broad EAC 10th Anniversary theme, EAC Ten Years of Integration: One People. One Destiny.
The Symposium will be an occasion for reflection, self evaluation and evaluation by others; and learning process for the EAC, focusing on the future of more effective approaches to regional integration. The proceedings of the Symposium will be compiled and published in a book.
The respective key players and actors, including the EAC diplomatic missions abroad will hold additional similar symposia of their own on topics of their choice under the broad theme of the Symposium. The EAC Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA), for instance, will hold a symposium on the theme, Aviation – Linking EAC and the World Safely and Efficiently in Arusha on 22 October 2009 under the EAC 10th Anniversary Observance programme. The Inter-University Council for East Africa will also hold a separate Symposium.
EAC Video Documentary will be produced of 15-20 minutes length. The documentary’s treatment/outline is being developed, including historical footage, selected project coverage; and interviews with Heads of EAC Organs and Institutions and other stakeholders. The Video will be ready during 2010. In the meantime, a leading international broadcasting agency has been engaged to produce a promotional and publicity Video for the EAC 10th Anniversary that will include the Main Events of 20th November 2009 for regional and worldwide dissemination. The Ministries of EAC Affairs will produce and place promotional radio jingles and TV spots.
EAC Media Summit: The 3rd EAC Media Summit was held in Kampala on 21-22 August 2009 with focus on promotion of publicity of the EAC 10th Anniversary. The Media Summit was organized by EAC with EABC collaboration. EAC Media Awards was launched at the Media Summit. Winners (EA Media Houses and individual journalists), will be awarded under various categories during the Main Events of 20th November 2009.
Essay Competition will be organized for the youth of the EAC region ( within 16-20 years age bracket) on the topic, “Relevance of EAC to the aspirations of the people of East Africa- Discuss”.
East African Universities Seminars: East African universities (both private and public) , members of the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) , will set aside occasions, within their regular academic and outreach programmes, during October-November 2009 for Seminars on EAC regional integration. The University of Dar-es-Salaam Faculty of Law has in September 2009 held its seminar on EA regional integration. The University of Dar-es-Salaam has also introduced LLM and PhD degree programmes on EAC Law. University of Makerere Department of Political Science has also introduced an Undergraduate programme on EAC integration.
EAC Weeks: These will be staged in the Partner States and Diplomatic Missions to reach the East African people at the grassroots with the message of the EAC 10th Anniversary Observance. The Ministries of EAC Affairs of the Partner States will take the lead in staging the EAC Weeks, promoting public rallies, road shows, sports events; and intensive media publicity, including Radio/TV Talk Shows; and newspaper supplements and organizing EAC Open Days during October–November 2009. The Partner States will also organize East African Music Co-operation Festivals at national levels and choose the best song about EAC from each Partner State to perform at the Main Event and the East African Cultural Festival in Arusha.
In this regard, the Ministries of EAC Affairs will form National Committees for EAC 10th Anniversary to organize the public activities, involving Members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) , National MPs and Provincial/Local Administrations, Civil Society, popular artistes and other cultural performers. Uganda has planned to hold its EAC Week on 30 October – 6 November 2009. Other Partners States will organize their EAC Weeks during the same time for harmonization purposes but otherwise, during any other period within the observance timeframe according to their convenience.
Activities in the EAC Partner States’ Diplomatic Missions: The EAC Partner States’ Diplomatic Missions will hold EAC 10th Anniversary observance/activities. The activities will be held jointly by the EAC diplomatic missions at the various diplomatic stations around the world; and involve East Africans living abroad.
East African Cultural Festival: Cultural groups and entertainment bands will be invited/encouraged to perform (on corporate sponsorship basis) at a three-day East African Cultural Festival in Arusha in November 2009. Ministries of EAC Affairs of the Partner States will mobilize the cultural groups and other participants and promote corporate sponsorship in the East African Cultural Festival which, as in the first one held in 1999, is expected to be elaborate and vibrant , including poetry, music, dance, drama, art, traditional East African dishes, fashion shows, handicrafts, artifacts and photographic exhibitions.
EAC Sports Tournament: EAC Football Tournament will be staged in Arusha between the National Assemblies Football Teams of the EAC Partner States and the EALA/EAC Football Team. Corporate sponsors would be approached to sponsor the costs of the tournament such as trophies and sports gear.
Partner States’ Ministries of EAC Affairs, through the National Committees for EAC 10th Anniversary Celebrations and sports associations will organize any other sports activities/ competitions, such as Netball, Volleyball, Motor Rallies, Mountain Climbing, etc at National Levels. Already, at EAC system-wide level, the East African Military Games were held in Kigali 15-22 June 2009 and promoted as an EAC 10th Anniversary event.
EAC Jua Kali Exhibition: The EAC Jua Kali Exhibition will be held in Arusha at the Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium on 18-21 November on the theme of the EAC 10th Anniversary. EAC Organs and Institutions as well as Ministries of EAC Affairs will establish information/exhibition stands within the Jua Kali Exhibition area.
One Laptop per Child campaign: The One Laptop per Child campaign will be launched by the Heads of State during the 10th Anniversary Public Rally at the Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium in Arusha on 20th November 2009. With the launch of the programme, the One Laptop per Child Association has pledged to contribute a laptop for each laptop contributed from regional sources at the subsidized rate of $100 per laptop. To this extent, the Secretary General has launched appeal for contributions, starting with Staff of the EAC Organs and Institutions to regional corporate sponsors and international philanthropic organizations.
EAC Peace and Security Conference: A High-level EAC Peace and Security Conference will be held in Kampala on 5-7 October and billed as an EAC 10th Anniversary event.
Special Session of East African Legislative Assembly: The EALA will hold a special on the EAC 10th Anniversary on 19 November 2009 in Arusha which will feature a debate on the achievements, challenges and prospects of the East African Community.
EAC 10th Anniversary Programme and Invitations: The climax of the activities will be 20th November 2009, including the 10th Anniversary Summit; and Main Event at the Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium in Arusha. A detailed programme of the activities will be published in due course. Invitations to the Main Events will be sent out to UN, AU, regional and international organizations, development partners and other foreign and local dignitaries.
Ends
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com
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Subject: EAC LAUNCHES 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS